Social Science: Competency may be met by satisfactory completion of two courses in such subjects as: anthropology, community development, economics, geography, history, political science, public policy, psychology, and sociology.

Humanitites & Fine Arts: Students develop an understanding and appreciation for the creative process and human thought. Competency may be met by satisfactory completion of two courses in such subjects as art: classics, history, literature, music, philosophy, religion, language, theater.

Skills
Students develop abilities and use tools to effectively communication, analyze, problem solve, think critically and work with others.

Communication Skills: Students express themselves in a way that is easily understood at a level that is appropriate for the audience.

Oral: Students show confidence and efficacy in speaking before a group. Competency may be met by satisfactory completion of CALS 001 or CALS 183 (or equivalent) where primary focus is public speaking, and an additional course or series of courses in which students present a minimum of three graded speeches, in total, to a group.

Written: Students effectively communicate in writing. Competency may be met by satisfactory completion of any English writing course and an additional course or series of courses that uses the writing process (redrafting) for a minimum of three graded papers in total.

Information Technology: Students demonstrate mastery of technology for communication, data gathering and manipulation, and information analysis. Competency may be met by satisfactory completion of CALS 002 or CALS 85 (or equivalent) and an additional course or series of courses that uses computers for a minimum of two applications in total.

Quantitative Skills: Students demonstrate the ability to understand and use numbers.

Mathematics: Students demonstrate the use of numbers for problem solving. Competency may be met by satisfactory completion of Math 9 or higher.

Statistics: Students demonstrate the use of numbers for data analysis and inference. Competency may be met by satisfactory completion of Statistics 111 or higher or NR 140.

Quantitative Skills Application: Students apply mathematics or statistics skills in a course relevant to their major. Competency may be met by satisfactory completion of one course that utilizes principles from math or statistics.

Critical Thinking Skills: Students demonstrate ability to comprehend, judge, and present written/oral arguments and to solve problems. Students learn how to distinguish between fact, conjecture, and intuition. Competency may be met by satisfactory completion of any course or series of courses in which students solve problems and analyze, judge, and construct arguments.

Interpersonal Skills: Students demonstrate the ability to work well with other people by understanding and using skills of leadership, conflict resolution, and group process. Competency may be met by satisfactory completion of any course or series of courses that includes leadership, working in diverse groups, conflict resolution, and group process.

Values
Students are exposed to values that are expressed through relationships with community, the environment, and themselves that are consistent with the mission of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the University of Vermont campus compact known as "Our Common Ground."

Citizenship & Social Responsibility: Students develop an understanding, appreciation and empathy for the diversity of human experience and perspectives. Students are exposed to solving problems for a community and contributing to the common good. Competency may be met by satisfactory completion of a three credit diversity course and one other course or series of courses that exposes students to these values.

Environmental Stewardship: Students develop a sensitivity for the interconnected relationship between human beings and the natural world and the responsibility for stewardship of the environment. Competency may be met by satisfactory completion of two courses or a series of courses that expose students to these values.

Personal Growth: Students develop an understanding and appreciation of a healthy lifestyle and a love for learning that will lead to continuous growth and development throughout their life-span. Students continue to improve self by developing and affirming the values of respect, integrity, innovation, openness, justice, and responsibility. Competency may be met by satisfactory completion of CALS 001 and CALS 002, two credits of physical education, and one other course or series of courses that exposes students to these values.